The Broward County state attorney’s office said Cooper was arrested after an undercover FBI investigation that began in May 2012. She surrendered and was booked into jail.

Cooper is charged with money laundering, official misconduct and exceeding limits on campaign contributions, all of which are third-degree felonies. She is also charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of soliciting contributions in a government building.

“We’re all very surprised at City Hall,” Hallandale Beach Commissioner Michele Lazarow said. “It’s a sad day for the city.”

According to the state attorney’s office, FBI agents posing as wealthy land developers met with Cooper, former attorney Alan Koslow and other undercover agents posing as business owners over the course of several months to discuss a business project in the city.

Investigators said Cooper solicited campaign contributions for herself and others that exceeded the legal limit and falsely reported the contributions in campaign reports. Investigators said Cooper also solicited contributions in the amount of $1,500 each for then-Commissioners Bill Julian and Anthony Sanders.